A Full Day Knotting Workshop: Where Every Rug Begins by Noriko Yamanaka

This one-day workshop will be held at our UES studio and Dumbo studio.

A hand-knotted chair rug is more than a functional object— it becomes a beautiful, practical companion to daily life. This workshop is one of the first opportunities to learn this knotting technique, as we bring this traditional Japanese craft, reimagined for contemporary life, to the US for the very first time.

In this full-day workshop led by Noriko Yamanaka from Arts & Crafts Village (ACV) in Okayama, Japan, you will learn the Turkish knot technique. The day begins with a talk on the history of Akō Dantsu— a craft that traveled the Silk Road and found its final destination in Japan, where it evolved to suit the local climate and lifestyle. Today this tradition faces the risk of disappearing, and this workshop is part of an effort to carry it forward.

By the end of the day, you will have learned to warp the loom, tie the Turkish knot, and finish the edges. As your hands tie each knot, you'll build not only long-lasting technical skills, but a mindset and design sensibility you can bring to every corner of your home. Participants will not complete their chair rug during the workshop, but will acquire all the skills needed to do so. You will take your loom home with your project attached to finish at your own pace.

Price Breakdown:
Class fee and material cost is paid upfront. We will be instructing on ACV's loom, and highly recommend taking this opportunity to purchase their loom kit (available exclusively in Japan) at our discounted workshop price. You may bring your own loom to the workshop if it matches the below specifications (please contact us first to ensure it is suitable). Please note that a loom with slightly different specs and lower than 5 dpi, such as the Ashford frame, will require additional time to warp and complete your project.